Center for Writing and Public Discourse

Consultant Bios

Fiona Bare

Fiona is a sophomore from a western suburb of Chicago. She has yet to settle on a major due to an aversion to big decisions and an interest in vast subjects including international relations, philosophy, economics, environmental policy, and literature. On campus, Fiona works at the Roberts Environmental Center and competes with the Model UN team. When not helping students write brilliant papers at the CWPD, you can find her reading a novel in the beautiful California sunshine or doing yoga. Fiona’s also loves travel, a good cup of coffee, and meeting new people!

Caroline Bowman

Caroline is from Sarasota, Florida. She is a sophomore philosophy and literature major who applied to CMC with an essay deconstructing her mixed feelings about the Oxford Comma (But she promises not to spend your entire consultation session discussing the comma’s merits and flaws with you.) She thinks balance is important, so when she’s not helping students at the Center for Writing, she is working as the news editor of The Student Life or copy editing for the Los Angeles Review of Books. She closely identifies with Liz Lemon from “30 Rock” and is still trying to decide if that’s a good or bad thing.

Sophie Brieder

Sophie Breider is a sophomore at CMC who hails from Lake Tahoe, Nevada. She is proud to reside in what she considers the last state of the Wild West and has an affinity for all things cowboy and Americana, particularly her favorite novel Blood Meridian. Fortunate enough to have spent her teenage years exploring her local mountains and deserts, Sophie likes to spend as much time as possible outdoors, backpacking, camping, snowboarding or running. Sophie’s dream job has changed quite a bit over the years, but international pop star, despite vocal or instrumental talent, is still her chief and enduring aim. In light of such technical shortcomings, Sophie explores her interest in music through a more realistic outlet and is employed as the Director of Promotions for KSPC Claremont 88.7 FM. Should her dream of pop stardom never come to fruition, Sophie is pursuing a degree and career in the field of neuroscience. Though not as glamorous a prospect as fame and fans, Sophie thinks a career in health policy or neuropsychology would be comparably rewarding (though perhaps ever so slightly less exciting).

Rae Brookshire

Rae Brookshire is a sophomore from Los Angeles, dedicated fully to not finding a major. She can be found yearning for Motley coffee, printing in Poppa lab, and (most often) ruminating over second sentences. Rae also runs with her beloved Stagthenas and edits international content for the Claremont Port Side. As a copy editor for the Los Angeles Review of Books, she believes, like Collete, that “all writing leads to more writing.”

Emily Chambard

Emily Chambard is a junior from the Seattle area, dual majoring in International Relations and Spanish. She enjoys dancing, lively conversation, wilderness explorations of all sorts, and pretty much anything miniature. When she's not consulting at the fabulous CWPD, she's leading trips with CMC's Outdoor Initiative, writing for the Keck Journal of International Affairs, and engaging in a love affair with Latin American literature. She's thrilled to finally be soaking up a quality amount of Vitamin D in SoCal, and she's going to miss CMC like crazy when she's abroad in Argentina this spring!

Miriam Cruz

Miriam is currently a junior majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and is still readapting to the adherence to time commonly found in the U.S. after her fruitful semester abroad in Madrid, where time is not a real thing. Other than her favorite on-campus job at the Center For Writing and Public Discourse, Miriam is a Resident Assistant at the Student Apartments, where her residents welcomed her with responsible decision-making and quiet, calming music. Some of her favorite things include sparkling water, Beyoncé, and traveling. She loves creative writing but welcomes papers of all disciplines. No need to look up her shift schedule - if you're passing by Kravis just listen for her laugh.

Kenneth Cunanan

Kenny Cunanan hails from the always interesting travel destination of Los Angeles California, and is planning to major in something that interests him. (Un)fortunately, most of the majors at the school interest him, so he's going through an intense vetting process, which will be completed by next semester (hopefully). He loves hearing himself talk, but what he enjoys more than talking is listening to other people share their stories. This tendency manifests itself primarily in late night conversations with his precocious roommate Nadeem. When not working as a consultant for the Center for Writing, Kenny works as a consultant for SOURCE and as a graphic designer that makes weird little posters for various organizations. Elsewhere, he can be heard laughing at his own jokes, and belting lyrics from various musicals.

Jess Davis

Hailing from Santa Barbara, California, Jess is a Government major who spends her free time reading, hiking, and referencing the Founding Fathers. Jess is passionate about American constitutionalism, but she is excited to work with you on papers of all subjects. On campus, Jess also works as a Lead Consultant for SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting and as a Staff Writer for the Port Side.

Nadeem Farooqi

Nadeem is from the distant land of Rancho Cucamonga, California. Currently a Government and Economics major, he enjoys engaging in philosophical and political discussions late at night with his roommate, Bruno Mars (known informally as Kenny Cunanan). When not giving tours and travelling for competitive club tournaments, Nadeem spends his time debating, watching movies, researching international and domestic politics, dancing, singing, hanging out with friends, and telling many (very, very, very, VERY many) cheesy puns and jokes. With extensive experience in argumentation and discussion characterizing his academic career, Nadeem is excited to serve as a consultant for the Center for Writing & Public Discourse.

Nedim Filipovic

Nedim Filipovic is from Lake Oswego, Oregon. He is a Chemistry & Economics dual major with a sequence in “take as many interesting classes as possible.” Nedim has a passion for the outdoors and is constantly planning exciting weekend trips that inevitably are canceled due to a combination of procrastination and homework. Things that interest Nedim include: things he doesn’t know anything about, you, soccer, discussions on gender equality, your essay, and most importantly, you. Feel free to drop by his room, colloquially dubbed “Big Berg.” He’s open to any topic, and any ideas. A word to the wise: don’t get him started on barefoot running – he loves that stuff.

Hyo Sung Joo

Hyo Sung Joo hails from South Korea. Yes, it's okay to call him Hyo, and yes, that's a "yo" with an H-sound. Hyo Sung majors in International Relations, with a thematic focus on national security, which will prepare him (for sure!) for army service later. We will have to see. Also, with a long-distance love for football - the English one - Hyo trusts that Tottenham Hotspurs will win the League someday. He has taken on average 2.2 government classes each semester, which makes him an approachable consultant for those scary 25+ page research papers.

Liat Kaplan

Liat Kaplan is a Literature major from the bustling metropolis of St. Paul, Minnesota. She writes for The Golden Antlers, the Forum, The Student Life, and occasionally the Ms. Magazine blog. She enjoys long walks on Green Beach and reading at the Scripps pool. She is always happy to discuss modern art, postmodern poetry, Netflix marathons, Coop Fountain quesadillas, and the merits of outlining . An entry from Liat's elementary school-era diary says, "When I grow up I want to be a book reviewer in the newspaper because they get to read stuff then talk about it all day". Liat is always interested in reading your writing and talking about it all day (or just for a session in the CWPD).

Joel Kirk

Bio coming soon!

David Leathers

David is a current junior hailing (more likely raining) from Seattle. He is a Philosophy, Politics & Economics major here because he still doesn't really know what he wants to do after CMC. He has also studied Arabic for 2.5 years, which took him to Amman, Jordan for a semester. In his free time, David enjoys playing baseball, frisbee, singing in A Capella, taking photos, acting in and watching theater, reading The Economist, telling people about the greatness that is CMC...and helping people become better writers at the Center for Writing and Public Discourse. Stop on by to chat about how to improve your paper, project, or most anything else!

Robert Moore

Robert “Rob" Moore was born and raised in the great city and state of Atlanta, GA, and is a sophomore student majoring in Philosophy and Economics here at CMC. Apart from working at the CWPD, he enjoys playing sports, spending hours discussing random philosophical topics, and taking part in the multitude of events and activities the 5C’s have to offer. Though he enjoys his leisure time, he is notorious for an endlessly-booked Google calendar (according to legend, his professors have to register their classes on his schedule). Despite his busy schedule, he is excited to be working at the CWPD this year. Whether discussing a paper or the philosophical mysteries of life, he welcomes your visit to the Center and looks forward to seeing you around campus!

Cole Mora

Cole is a consultant originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite playing for the CMS men's soccer team he watches an embarrassingly small amount of European soccer, and credits any knowledge he has to hours spent playing FIFA. Cole loves the way that writing and communication are used to tell stories and connect people, so working at the Center for Writing and Public Discourse has been one of his favorite experiences at CMC. He also works at the Kravis Leadership Institute, researching, among other things, how CMC's curriculum develops leaders, especially when compared to other places of higher education. Although technically a Biology major, Cole has a wide range of academic interests that span from Public Policy to International Relations to Philosophy. When he isn't watching The Office or Avatar: The Last Airbender you can usually find him at ASCMC Senate, Snack, or struggling to understand Macroeconomics. Feel free to talk to him about anything, as he loves to work with people!

Emily Morse

Hailing from Mercer Island, Washington, Emily loves much about sunny Southern California, but not-so-secretly misses the Seattle rain. An undecided sophomore, she is no stranger to procrastination. Emily works as a CMC tour guide and volunteers with Special Olympics. When not at the Center for Writing, she can usually be found reading food blogs, staying up too late, or making peanut butter banana toast in Collins.

Regina Mullen

A Literature and International Relations dual major from Menlo Park, California, Regina enjoys hiking, Mexican food, Latin American literature, and cats. Apart from working at the Center for Writing and Public Discourse, Regina plays for the CMS volleyball team, works in the equipment room, and hopes to study abroad in Prague. Some more of her favorite things include spending time with her brothers, and eating breakfast for dinner. She’s also never met a Harrison Ford movie she didn’t like. Regina is happy to help students of every discipline with papers at any stage of the writing process, and is available to help with beginning level Spanish papers as well.

Christophe Rimann

Christophe Rimann is a Sophomore from beautiful Oakland, California. Being a 3-2 Management Engineering and Computer Science Major, he spends most of his free time regretting his decision and considering switching majors. His other interests include bitcoin (if anyone reads this and wants to discuss it, reach out!), reading (favorite book: Brave New World), and entrepreneurship. When he's not at the CWPD, he organizes networking trips as the president of the Claremont Consulting Group and co-president of the bitcoin club.

John Seylar

John Seylar is a sophomore from Minnetonka, Minnesota. He is pursuing a History and Government double major here at CMC (as of right now!). When he's not at the Center for Writing, you might find him at the swimming pool, brushing up on his Latin, or confused about where he will study abroad next year. Nevertheless, he is interested in all things Government and History related, and he is happy to help writers at all stages and skill levels.

Kanako Shimizu

Kanako is a sophomore from San Jose, California, and is currently pursuing an Economics & Literature dual major, despite having changed majors thrice already. Other than working at the CWPD, she can be found hanging out with her APAM mentee group, sitting in her rocking chair and reading a book, finding friends' essays to edit, or tracking down all the on-campus events that provide refreshments. Come in and talk to her about books that she's read recently, which will, more often than not, be placed down once and forgotten (only to be rediscovered three months later).

Tyler Sonnemaker

Currently residing in Houston, Texas, originally from Portland, Oregon, Tyler is a junior majoring in Philosophy & Public Affairs. His other campus engagements include helping students find their inner Bezos at the CIE and discovering new ways to opine via the Forum. When not being academically productive, he produces music, listens to his vinyl collection, and plays hoops. Tyler is happy to assist anyone with their writing in any way that he can.

Pippa Straus

Pippa Straus is a sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama. She is currently dual majoring in Psychology and Literature. In addition to working at the Center, Pippa is on the Model UN Team and works as a lab assistant for Professor Krauss at the Center for Applied Psychological Research. She also volunteers with an organization known as Aid to Inmate Mothers, which helps women in prison and their children. As a result, she is one of the few people at CMC who has been inside a maximum security prison. She loves music, going on hardcore television binge watching sessions, and reading (she has memorized the last paragraph of The Great Gatsby, among other things), and is interested in criminal justice and prison activism.

Clancy Tripp

Clancy Tripp is from Indiana where she is surrounded by cornfields and the state beverage is water. She is currently a Literature and Media Studies major who takes, in the registrar’s opinion, entirely too many Creative Writing classes. She also works for The Forum and recently began her own CMC-centric satire site called The Golden Antlers. She is a staunch defendant of the Oxford comma but will still be friends with you if you forget to use it. She looks forward to tutoring you!

Jen Vaccaro

As one of the few CMC students from the Bay Area, Jen feels responsible for repping Nor Cal pride throughout Claremont. If you ever need advice on which CREAM cookie to order or which Nor Cal beach is the least freezing, Jen’s your girl. In addition to Nor Cal knowledge, Jen has a significant amount of insight in International Relations and Spanish (she’s majoring in both). However, she loves writing, analyzing, and constructing papers in all disciplines! When she’s not in the CWPD, you can find her reading in the Motley or jogging around the 5Cs.

Caroline Ward

Caroline Ward is a sophomore from Edina, Minnesota interested in Economics/Accounting and Literature. When not at the CWPD, she can likely be found practicing at the tennis courts with her fellow CMS Athenas. In her free time, Caroline enjoys perusing farmers markets, watching Netflix documentaries, and spending time near large bodies of water. She is extremely excited to be a new member of the amazing consultant team!